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Daily Montreal Sep 18 - Sep 18, 2026

Baby in Camp, Overpass Demolition & Coroner Report — Montreal Friday

9 articles 1 hour ago 0

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. CAQ leader Fréchette met Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada after a one-year-old was found in a Notre-Dame St. encampment. Fréchette announced a $250-million emergency homelessness fund and promised co-ordination on transitional housing and mental-health supports if elected on Oct. 5; Montreal police say the child’s health and safety were not at risk and an investigation is underway. (Why it matters: provincial-municipal funding and duties are now in play.)

  2. Campaign signs are scarce north of the 55th parallel as Quebec’s election approaches. Reporters found no signs in several Nunavik villages about three weeks before the Oct. 5 vote; Ungava turnout in 2022 was 30.21 per cent versus the provincial 66.15 per cent, and all five major parties have registered candidates for the riding that covers an area larger than Alberta.

  3. Supreme Court action overturned a Liberal MP’s one-vote victory after an Elections Canada error. The court said it invalidated the result because of an administrative mistake by Elections Canada; the decision removes a 1-vote win and triggers follow-up steps under federal electoral law.

  4. The Van Horne overpass will be demolished; replacement plans remain undecided. City officials have confirmed demolition is scheduled and public debate continues over what structure or design will replace the overpass along the corridor.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. Smash-and-grab jewelry heists are rising in Quebec, with youth participation noted. Police and retailers report an uptick in coordinated store robberies targeting jewelry shops across the province, and investigations highlight involvement of younger offenders in several recent incidents.

  2. Hamed Shafia, convicted in four 2009 murders, is scheduled for a Parole Board of Canada hearing. Shafia was convicted in January 2012 of first-degree murder in the deaths of three sisters and another woman; the bodies were found in a car in the Rideau Canal in June 2009 and his earlier appeals were dismissed by Ontario courts and the Supreme Court.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. Davis Alexander threw two TD passes as the Alouettes beat the Tiger-Cats 37-25 in Hamilton. Alexander finished 21-of-27 for 218 yards in Montreal’s 11-3 season, the Alouettes improved to 7-0 against East Division rivals, and RB Stevie Scott rushed for 108 yards on 21 carries; receiver Tyler Snead left with a second-half knee sprain.

  2. Coroner finds lack of coordinated care contributed to three patient deaths at Val-d’Or Hospital. The coroner’s report attributes system and co-ordination failures to the deaths at the regional hospital, identifying specific gaps in patient care and follow-up procedures.

📰 Also Today

  • Montreal mayor mulls legal action against Quebec after a baby was found in an encampment.

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Source Articles (9)

Smash-and-grab jewelry store heists on rise in Quebec, youth involvement raises concerns

Over the last three years, Del Moral Jewelers store in Brossard, Que., has been targeted four times. According to data from the Montreal police, jewelry store break-ins this year have tripled compared to all of 2022, and businesses are worried about the trend of young suspects.

General Sep 18, 2026

Lack of co-ordinated care contributed to 3 patient deaths at Val-d’Or Hospital: coroner

A Quebec coroner has released the last of three reports looking into the deaths of people receiving care at Val-d’Or Hospital — ones that prompted concerns about the facility's policies regarding vulnerable patients.

General Sep 18, 2026

The Van Horne overpass will be demolished. What will take its place is still up for debate

The Van Horne overpass, a critical commuting link and counterculture hub, will likely be demolished and replaced by an underground tunnel by 2030.

General Sep 18, 2026

Montreal mayor mulls legal action against Quebec after baby found at encampment

News of a baby being found living with its mother in an encampment on Notre-Dame Street last week sparked strong reaction from Montreal's mayor and Quebec's party leaders on Thursday.

General Sep 18, 2026
Few signs an election is underway in Quebec’s Far North

Few signs an election is underway in Quebec’s Far North

In the last Quebec general election, in 2022, voter turnout in the Ungava riding was 30.21 per cent — far below the provincial average of 66.15 per cent.

Politics Sep 18, 2026
Parole hearing for Hamed Shafia, convicted of murdering his sisters and woman

Parole hearing for Hamed Shafia, convicted of murdering his sisters and woman

A man convicted of murdering his three sisters and another woman more than 17 years ago is set to have a parole hearing Friday. 

Canada Sep 18, 2026

Supreme Court says it invalidated Liberal MP's 1-vote win due to Elections Canada error

The Supreme Court of Canada says it decided to invalidate a federal Liberal candidate's one-vote victory in the 2025 federal election to ensure public trust in the electoral process.

General Sep 18, 2026
Alexander leads Alouettes to 37-25 win over Ticats

Alexander leads Alouettes to 37-25 win over Ticats

Davis Alexander threw two touchdown passes to power the Montreal Alouettes past the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 37-25 in the annual Hall of Fame game Friday night.

Sports Sep 18, 2026
Fréchette meets Montreal mayor amid fallout over baby in homeless camp

Fréchette meets Montreal mayor amid fallout over baby in homeless camp

Fréchette announced a list of promises, including the creation of a $250-million emergency fund for homelessness.

Politics Sep 18, 2026